絵馬「代々木八幡縁起絵」
| Cultural property name | Votive Picture Tablet (Ema) Picture of the Origin of Yoyogi Hachimangu |
|---|---|
| Commentary | According to the written origin and history of the shrine of Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine, Arai Geki Tomoakira, a lower-raking vassal of Kondo Saburo Koremochi, a retainer of Minamoto no Yoriie, changed his name to Soyu and went into seclusion in Yoyogi after Yoriie was assassinated at Shuzenji Temple. On August 15, 1212, in Soyu’s dream, Hachiman Okami bestowed upon him a Cintamani-like (wish-fulfilling jewel-like) mirror. This event prompted Soyu to perform a division of a Shinto god (bunrei) with Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine, which is dedicated to the divine protector the Genji clan (Hachiman), and enshrine the divided spirit. Soyu maintained the miniature shrine, and him doing so is said to be the origin of Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine. This votive picture tablet (ema) depicts the event that led to the establishment of the shrine. Only a small number of such votive picture tablets exist, and the brushwork seen on this votive picture tablet is graceful. This is a large votive picture tablet (height of 139 cm and width of 186 cm) that was dedicated in 1841. |